Tue, 12 Aug 2008 10:43

Scottish promotional clothing entrepreneur Alex Barton is celebrating having graduated with a first-class degree in management with marketing from Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen.But in 2006, Alex took time out from his studies at RGU to start a winter sportswear company aimed at the Scottish snowboard and surf market with friend and art student Sam Longmire.Opening the Optics Design label was a move which contradicted the more usual route of gaining first-hand business experience on a work placement.But as Alex explained to the Strathspey Herald: "It was apparent fairly quickly that the business was fun rather than a way to make a lot of money, so we decided to take our skills and diversify into design and promotional clothing for organisations from any sector."It was during this stage that the idea of internet-based promotional clothing came about."The opportunity of a new business in conjunction with the current young entrepreneur for Scotland then presented itself, when Stuart Ebdy wanted to set up Total Printing Services with Alex using his existing infrastructure.However, an unethical approach from a London-based investor presented 24-year-old Alex with the chance to return to RGU full-time which has resulted in the recent successful conclusion of his studies.